Berenice Abbott

Berenice Abbott was an American photographer known for her photographs of New York City and scientific images.

Abbott was born in Springfield, Ohio, and moved to New York City in 1918 to study sculpture. She soon became interested in photography and began working as a darkroom assistant to the photographer Man Ray. In the 1920s, she traveled to Paris and became involved in the avant-garde art scene there, where she continued to work as a photographer and also studied under the renowned photographer and educator, Eugène Atget. Upon returning to New York City in the 1930s, Abbott began photographing the city's rapidly changing landscape, creating a comprehensive visual record of the city's architecture and streetscapes. Her work was characterized by its sharp focus, stark contrast, and dramatic compositions.